Rugby: All Blacks face Aussies early in 2013 Rugby Championship

The All Blacks will begin their defence of the Rugby Championship against Australia in Sydney before a return encounter a week later in Wellington.

In the draw released by Sanzar today, the All Blacks will play the Wallabies at ANZ Stadium in Sydney on Saturday August 17.

That same day the Springboks will host the Pumas at Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein.

Argentina, who joined the former Tri Nations last year for the first time, will replicate the 2012 draw for their home matches, with the Pumas playing their first home match of the Championship in round two against the Springboks at the Estadio Malvinas Argentinas in Mendoza on August 24, with the All Blacks hosting the Wallabies at Westpac Stadium in Wellington the same day.

The All Blacks, unbeaten in the Championship last year, play the Springboks at Eden Park and Johannesburg and the Pumas at Waikato Stadium and La Plata, Buenos Aires.